Last Wednesday, the Philadelphia Film Society held a preview screening of Moonrise Kingdom,the ninth film of acclaimed director, Wes Anderson. The latest installment from the director that brought us The Royal Tennenbaums and Fantastic Mr. Fox, traces two committed youngsters, Sam and Suzy on their adventure to run awayfrom their misunderstood lives, so they can be hidden away from the rest of the world on the small, rocky Rhode Island beach cove they have named together, Moonrise Kingdom.

Eric Toledano, one of the directors of the French box-office smash, THE INTOUCHABLES had been barely been in Philadelphia a day before he learned a new word. There is no direct French translation for the phrase, and yet when it was explained to him Eric couldn’t think of a better word to describe his relationship with directing partner Olivier Nakache.

In celebration of the Barnes unveiling its new Philadelphia home with 56 consecutive hours of free admission and activities, the Philadelphia Film Society partnered with the Barnes for a Midnight Film Series that put a focus on art around the world.

What movies are you going to check out? There’s so much to choose from! The Avengers is still breaking records… The Dictator is finally invading theaters… 20th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival favorite Headhunters is still at the Ritz at the Bourse… And let’s not forget that PFS MEMBER SNEAK PREVIEW FILM BATTLESHIP brings the Aliens vs. Navy summer movie popcorn insanity to a screen near you. But my weekend pick is MANSOME from Morgan Spurlock, Oscar nominated director of PFS MEMBER SNEAK PREVIEW FILM THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD and Super Size Me.

With the Summer Movie Season officially upon us, the Philadelphia Film Society is working hard to make sure that members get a chance to see as many Blockbusters, Spectacles, and Genre Offerings as possible. As a result, in the coming weeks members will be seeing BATTLESHIP, ROCK OF AGES, and CHERNOBYL DIARIES all BEFORE they hit theaters. Another staple of the Summer Movie Season is the Guilty Pleasure… and it doesn’t get more guilty than STEP UP REVOLUTION!

At first glance, the average moviegoer might not be compelled to see A Little Bit of Heaven. I think people saw it starred Kate Hudson and thought I’m not in the mood for a frothy Bride Wars, My Best Friend’s Girl or You, Me and Dupree type of romantic comedy. Not that there’s anything wrong with a traditional rom/com; however this film is the female equivalent of Joseph Gordon Levitt’s 50/50.

Aging – without proper retirement funds, without a spouse, needing a hip replacement, feeling too old to be desirable, put out to pasture, needing closure with a person you fell in love with over 40 years ago. These are all rather depressing subjects; yet, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is anything but depressing. It’s lively, humorous and quick-witted.

The inaugural 4-day film festival, held from April 26-29, 2012, concludes with great success! Events took place at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Theater of the Living Arts (TLA) and World Cafe Live. Approximately 2,300 tickets sold to 26 Screenings of 19 rockumentaries, musician biopics, and films that are defined by great soundtracks.

The horror/comedy film “The Cabin in the Woods” currently has an 89% “fresh” rating on movie website rottentomatoes.com. Not bad for a movie that took three years to be released following its completion. One of the stars of “Cabin”, Fran Kranz (pictured above), stopped in Philadelphia this week for the film’s press tour to share his enthusiasm for the movie that he says is definitely “classic” yet part of a “hybrid-genre.”

Last night PFS presented a sneak preview of the much talked about documentary Bully. Some PFS members may recall this documentary by filmmaker Lee Hirsch was screened last October during the 20th Philadelphia Film Festival when it was titled The Bully Project. I think the shortened title really gives it the impact the film deserves.